"The carriers have taken centre-stage this year, and next year we look towards these aircraft joining us in Britain and taking off from HMS Queen Elizabeth's enormous deck to undertake first-of-class flight trials.

"With our famous Royal Air Force coming into its 100th anniversary, the F-35 keeps us right at the cutting-edge of combat air power."

Meanwhile, Peter Ruddock, Chief Executive of Lockheed Martin UK said: "There are more than 500 UK companies in our supply chain who play a vital role in producing every F-35 and we are proud to have delivered the UK's 14th aircraft on schedule.

"More than 260 F-35s are now flying from 14 bases around the world and we look forward to supporting the UK’s Lightning Force."

The F-35 programme is on schedule to achieve initial operating capability from land next year, with initial operating capability carrier strike in 2020.